My London: Francesca Giacomini of Francesca the Method

Francesca Giacomini has been passionate about sport from a young age. Training at her grandfather’s gym in Rome, she pursued a career as a professional Judo athlete. After moving to London in 2001, Francesca begun her love affair with Pilates, and the rest is history. Pilates encompassed all she loved about sports and dance, and it is her extensive training and raw passion in this area that forms the basis of FRANCESCA THE METHOD.

Having presented a fitness show on Sky TV, created a DVD boxset, The Goddess Workout and written 5 health and fitness books, Francesca is the ultimate guru.

Francesca holds regular classes at KX Gym, private classes at Matt Roberts and also in the privacy of your own home. Prices start from £100 for a 45 minute session.

Favourite neighbourhood:

Chelsea is home, sweet, home for me. I feel blessed living there and love that it feels like a village yet it’s in the heart of London.

Favourite place for brunch:

I prefer dinner to having brunch or lunch and always find myself heading back to Nobu Park Lane. I love the food, the view and the restaurants energy – it’s also perfect for any occasion, at any time of the day!

Best coffee in London:

At my house! My Grandmother told me, that the only way to make good coffee is to use a traditional Bialetti coffee machine. It’s something I still do and definitely won’t change.

Well I don’t kiss and tell but I do have a crush on Eamonn Holmes. I find him funny, intelligent and charming. I’m so sad I’ll no longer get to wake up to him in the mornings as he’s just recently left Sky News. Come back Eamonn, I miss you!

Favourite place to shop:

I feel like a kid in a playground when I’m in Harrods. I could spend a whole day there wondering around from the food to the shoe department and via the jewellery.

I also absolutely adore Here, a grocery store on Sidney Street. It sells the most amazing selection of organic produce, so I’m there nearly on a daily basis to fill my fridge with goodness.

Favourite place to find inspiration:

You can often find me walking along the Chelsea Embankment on a crisp, winters morning at around 6.30am – I’m an early riser! The fresh air clears my head and I feel that being close to the water gives me a sense of calm to think about the future.

Best London destination for a date:

A romantic date? I always think he should be the one to choose the place – it’s a good first date test!

In saying that, I think Zuma in Knightsbridge always works for a first date. Get a seat at the sushi counter for a good experience, and if your date is boring at least you can relate on good food and entertain yourself with people watching – so much fun!

Duke of York Square on a Saturday morning. It’s packed full of international cuisines and sells everything from French cheeses to cup cakes and Malaysian cuisine to Moroccan food. Trust me, it will awaken all your senses!

Your sanctuary in the city:

I head to Heathrow Airport and jump on the first available flight for a weekend break. Sometimes we all need to take some time away from this amazing but sometimes exhausting place.

What inspires you?

I am surrounded by such strong friends who are the main source of my inspiration. They have continuously supported me so I feel blessed to have such an incredible entourage.

This season I’m loving:

The colours of nature and the wonderful foods that come with it like sharon fruits, sweet potatoes, pumpkins and chestnuts. The autumn is when the summer shows its fruits.

Being Italian, I have such a passion for good food. If you want to try my new healthy menu, head to Neville Hair & Beauty Salon in Belgravia. We serve breakfast, lunch, snacks and delicious beverages.

My new Healthy Menu was carefully selected to promote different beauty benefits, such as hair growth, glowing skin, to hydrate and flood the body with essential vitamins and minerals.